Aqueous alkali metal halogenite compositions containing a colorant stabilized by ammonium hydroxide

Abstract

Aqueous cleaner compositions containing an alkali metal halogenite, for example, NcClO 2 ; a stabilizable colorant; and a stabilizing amount of a stabilizer compound which is an ammonium hydroxide. The preferred embodiment further includes an anionic or anionic fluorocarbon surfactant.

I claim: 
     
       1. An aqueous, alkaline cleaning composition comprising on a weight basis from about 0.01 to about 5% of an alkali metal halogenite; from about 0.01 to about 3% of a dye normally chemically incompatible with said halogenite in aqueous media, and a stabilizer which is ammonium hydroxide, said stabilizer being present in the composition in an amount effective to stabilize the composition as evidenced by a substantial absence of chloride dioxide in the composition. 
     
     
       2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition has an initial pH of about 9 and above. 
     
     
       3. The composition of claim 2 wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of phthalocyanine, diazo, thiazine and triarylmethane dyes. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the composition has an initial pH of from about 9 to about 10.5. 
     
     
       5. The composition of claim 4 wherein the dye is a triarylmethane dye. 
     
     
       6. The composition of claim 4 wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of Acid Blue Dye 185 and Colour Index Dye Nos. 22,610; 42,090; 52,035, and 74,180. 
     
     
       7. The composition of claim 4 wherein the dye is Colour Index Dye No. 42,090. 
     
     
       8. The composition of claim 4 wherein the dye is Colour Index Dye No. 52,035. 
     
     
       9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the halogenite is sodium chlorite. 
     
     
       10. The composition of claim 6 wherein the halogenite is sodium chlorite. 
     
     
       11. The composition of claim 11 further comprising an anionic surfactant in an amount of from about 0.02 to about 20%. 
     
     
       12. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an anionic fluorosurfactant in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 0.1%. 
     
     
       13. The composition of claim 1 wherein the halogenite is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3%. 
     
     
       14. The composition of claim 10 wherein the sodium chlorite is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3%. 
     
     
       15. The composition of claim 14 wherein the dye is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 2%.